<p>Hello Parents,
I've posted the same message up in college admissions, but I've decided to bring my dilemna to you guys as well, because this forum has always provided other students with very helpful answers. I'm currently a junior in high school, and today I found out that I will be moving to a new city next year. This means new school, new teachers, new GC, everything. </p>
<p>I'm not sure what to do about the college admissions process now. I've held a couple of office positions this year already at my school (newspaper assistant editor, literary magazine editor, fundraising chair, etc) and know several teachers well.
Should I get my letters of reccomendation from my teachers now, before I move away? What about my extra curriculars? Will it look bad if I go back to being a regular "club member" next year (I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get any office positions, for lack of seniority).
I'm now very nervous and confused about college applications next year, because I have never heard of anyone being in my shoes, so any help/comments would be appreciated :)</p>
<p>toothfairy this happened to a friend of mine the summer after junior year. What he ended up doing was just explaining in his applications why senior yr he was not able to continue in leadership position although when he moved he was still very involved in all of his ECs (just not as a leader/officer)...also he was able to get recs from 3 of the teachers and his GC at his old school and when he got to his new school he was ready to apply to any school. So i wouldn't worry...you should be ok.</p>
<p>Don't worry too much about the offices. Just explain in your app - it will give you something to talk about if you have any interviews.</p>
<p>Be sure, as Bern said, that you get recs from teachers and GC at your old school. If these are mailed to you, ask that they be sent in a sealed envelope, then if your new school will help handle your applications, they will be receiving the recs in a confidential state. The "Have you waived your right to look at your recs?" question might not carry much weight in your situation, because the admissions people will know that you have had to take extra steps to get recs from your old school.
Good luck!</p>
<p>If you send in your aps early, you won't be able to list much senior year stuff anyway. Anybody looking at your applications will be able to tell that you changed schools, but if there is room on the application to divide your activities by school, that would highlight it further. For example:</p>
<p>Since you will need your recs early in the year, before teachers at your new school know you very well, it makes sense to get them before you move. We moved before S#2's senior year - He got his transcripts and recs before we left. We carried them with us, in the sealed, signed envelopes, and sent them in ourselves, once we knew which schools he was applying to. We will move again next year, just before D's senior year, and will likely do the same.</p>
<p>In our mobile society, I suspect this is pretty common, and you shouldn't worry about it - colleges have seen this before.</p>
<p>Hello,
Thanks for the replies so far. I will definately get my teachers now to write me reccomendations. My only problem - I can't get access to the commonapp reccomendation forms until July 1 (according to their website).
Also, should I just ask the teacher to write me one letter, and then have him just photocopy it and stick it in multiple envelopes, or will I need him to address each university that I plan to apply to separately? For example, just change the sentance on each rec. that says "Katie will be an excellent asset to Podunk University's campus because..."
Anyways
thanks again.</p>
<p>If youdefinitley know which schools you are applying to (or you overwhelming first choice, ED or EA school) </p>
<p>I would try to have the teacher personalize that letter. If you know you full list maybe you can place them in word document or excel spreadsheet to be used as a data source then all the teacher has to do is mail merge the information. (on your word menu look up tools, mail merge then you can play arround to see how it is done)</p>
<p>Make sure you give teachers the envelopes. when they seal the envelope, they should sign their name across the back of the envelope seal (that will show the adcoms that the rec is in tact and has not been opened. It will also give more credibility to your process).</p>
<p>You might check inside some of the viewbooks that have applications in them, such as Harvard and Yale's that have been mailed out recently. Inside is a paper application of the Common Application with the paper teacher recommendations included. Each has two recommendation forms so you could take them out and photocopy them and have your teacher's do their recs on those.</p>
<p>My son last year (2003-2004) moved in the middle of his senior year, so I know how difficult it can be and his younger sis who was a junior also had difficulties but they made the best of it and came out quite well.</p>
<p>Are you moving to a different state? If so, from which to which? Moving to a different state may change your safeties (almsot certainly will change your financial safeties). I moved before my junior year, from Washington D.C. where just about every college is "out of state" to Michigan, home to many fine universities! The move had a dramatic effect on my college applications. :)</p>
<p>As well, if possible, look at your new city for ECs- don't just count on the school- if you can do something in your city that matches your current ECs, it will be fun and look good and you will learn about your city!!</p>
<p>I moved about 13 times growing up, and twice in high school. It will all work out.</p>
<p>Try and keep in touch with a couple of teachers and guidance counsler by email, saying hi and such, so that if something comes up, like transcripts, test scores, and the like, they will remember you/</p>